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Ten Things You Didn’t Know: Jacquard coverlets

Did you know there is a museum in Bedford, Pennsylvania that is devoted to coverlets? That little fact and nine more about coverlets are shared below in the latest Ten Things You Didn’t Know column.

1 Coverlets (woven bedcovers) came into popularity in the early 19th century in the U.S., and were more common than quilts during this time period.

2 These woven items were often made of cotton and wool, and in many instances people would bring their request for a coverlet to a local weaver to be constructed.

3 In the early 1800s, French inventor Joseph Marie Jacquard designed an attachment that would fit on a loom, allowing for more intricate designs to be incorporated in a coverlet. The attachment reportedly saved time and money, and utilized a punch card process.

4 In January 2011, Pook and Pook, Inc. sold an uncommon red and white jacquard coverlet, with an eagle border, constructed by Garret William Van Doren in 1836. The coverlet commanded $2,430 (with buyer’s premium).

5 In the early-to-mid 19th century, a jacquard coverlet could be purchased for anywhere from $2 to

7 In America, the practice of making coverlets using jacquard looms and similar devices began to fade during the fourth quarter of the 19th century. The import of cheaper materials into the U.S. became a difficult hurdle for weavers to overcome.

8 Some of the factors that impact the value of antique coverlets sold on the secondary market today include condition, family provenance or origin of the maker, intricacy of details and pattern.

9 Very few jacquard looms still exist today, but at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont, there is a scarce 1890s jacquard loom featured in an exhibition of barn-frame looms. (www.shelburnemuseum.org)

10 A four-color, two-part jacquard coverlet, with a floral center and geometric border, made in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and signed “J. Brosey, (Manheim) E. Danner 1848,” realized $2,178 in November 2015, when it was brought to auction by Conestoga Auction Company — a division of Hess Auction Group.

**Coverlets coming to auction:Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates is presenting a selection of vintage coverlets at auction, July 15. Turn to page 27 to learn more.

About Toni Rahn

Antoinette (Toni) Rahn is the online editor and content manager for Antique Trader. She has a penchant for collecting petroliana, vintage advertising items, Irish collectibles and general Americana. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Tom.